40 Hadiths on the Role, Responsibility, and Duties of Religious Scholars
Presented below are forty hadiths addressing the role, responsibilities, and duties of religious scholars.
| It is narrated from Imam al-Sadiq (p) that he said, "Verily, scholars are the heirs of Prophets. The Prophets did not come to leave behind wealth—rather, they left behind their words of wisdom. Whoever takes from them has indeed inherited a great fortune. So, be careful from whom you take your knowledge, for in every generation there are from our scholars who clear the distortions of the extremists, reject the fabrications of the false claimants, and clarify the misunderstandings of the ignorant." [Al-Majlisi, Bihar al-Anwar, v. 2, p. 151] | عن الإمام الصادق (عليه السّلام): "إِنَّ الْعُلَمَاءَ وَرَثَةُ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ، وَذَاكَ أَنَّ الْأَنْبِيَاءَ لَمْ يُورِثُوا دِرْهَماً ولَا دِينَاراً، وَإِنَّمَا أَوْرَثُوا أَحَادِيثَ مِنْ أَحَادِيثِهِمْ، فَمَنْ أَخَذَ بِشَيْءٍ مِنْهَا فَقَدْ أَخَذَ حَظّاً وَافِراً، فَانْظُرُوا عِلْمَكُمْ هَذَا عَمَّنْ تَأْخُذُونَهُ، فَإِنَّ فِينَا أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ فِي كُلِّ خَلَفٍ عُدُولًا يَنْفُونَ عَنْهُ تَحْرِيفَ الْغَالِينَ وانْتِحَالَ الْمُبْطِلِينَ وتَأْوِيلَ الْجَاهِلِينَ". [المجلسي، "بحار الأنوار"، ج ٢، ص ١٥١] |
| It is narrated from the Commander of the Faithful (p) that he said, "Two types of people have broken my back in this world: the one with a knowledgeable tongue but a corrupt lifestyle, and a devout worshipper with an ignorant heart. The first defends his corruption with his tongue and the other defends his ignorance with his worship. So, beware of the corrupt among scholars and the ignorant among worshippers. They are the trial of every trialed one. Verily, I have heard the Messenger of God (pbuh&hp) say, ‘O' Ali, the destruction of my nation is at the hands of every hypocrite with a knowledgeable tongue.’" [Al-Majlisi, Bihar al-Anwar, v. 1, p. 106] | "... والعلماء في أنفسهم خيانة إن كتموا النصيحة، إن رأوا تائها ضالاً لا يهدونه أو ميتاً لا يحيونه، فبئس ما يصنعون! لأن الله تبارك وتعالى أخذ عليهم الميثاق في الكتاب أن يأمروا بالمعروف وبما أمروا به، وأن ينهوا عما نهوا عنه، وأن يتعاونوا على البر والتقوى ولا يتعاونوا على الإثم والعدوان..." [عن الإمام الباقر في كتابه إلى سعد الخير، الكليني، "الكافي"، ج ٨، ص ٥٢] |
Imam al-Hussain (p) is narrated saying, “...The flow of affairs and rulings are in the hands of the scholars of God who preserve His teachings regarding the permissible and forbidden …” [Narrated from Imam al-Hussain (p) and the Commander of the Faithful (p), “al-Harrani”, Tuhaf al-Uqool, P. 237] | عن أمير المؤمنين (عليه السّلام): "قطع ظهري رجلان من الدنيا: رجل عليم اللسان فاسق، ورجل جاهل القلب ناسك، هذا يصد بلسانه عن فسقه، وهذا بنسكه عن جهله، فاتقوا الفاسق من العلماء، والجاهل من المتعبدين، أولئك فتنة كل مفتون، فإني سمعت رسول الله (صلى الله عليه وآله) يقول: يا علي هلاك أمتي على يدي كل منافق عليم اللسان". [المجلسي، "بحار الأنوار"، ج ٢، ص ١٠٦] |
It is narrated from the Holy Prophet (pbuh&hp) that he said, "The religion will spread far and wide, crossing seas, and people will strive in the cause of Allah. Then, there will come after you a people who recite the Quran and say, "We have recited the Quran. There is no one more knowledgeable than us. There is no one more understanding of it than us.” Then the Prophet (pbuh&hp) turned to his companions and asked, "Is there any goodness in those people?" They replied, "No." The Prophet then said, "These will be people among you and they are examples of the verse that says "And they are the fuel of Hellfire (Quran 3:10)." [Al-Majlisi, Bihar al-Anwar, v. 2, p. 109] | "... ذلك بأن مجاري الأمور والأحكام على أيدي العلماء بالله الأمناء على حلاله وحرامه..." [روي عن الإمام الحسين (عليه السّلام) وكذلك عن أمير المؤمنين (عليه السّلام). الحرّاني، "تحف العقول"، ص ٢٣٧] |
The Commander of Faithful (p) is narrated saying, “I swear by He who split the grain and created life, had people not come to me and supporters not present in front of me and if there had been no covenant God took from scholars that they should not accept the greed of the oppressors and the hunger of the oppressed I would have cast the rope of Caliphate on its own shoulders and would have left the people to themselves. Then you would know that in my view this world of yours is not more important to me than the sneeze of a goat.” [The Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali Ibn Abi Talib (p), al-Sharif al-Radi, “Nahj al-Balaghah”, Sermon 3] | عن النبي الأكرم (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم): "يظهر الدين حتى يجاوز البحار، ويخاض في سبيل الله ثم يأتي من بعدكم أقوام يقرؤون القرآن يقولون: قرأنا القرآن، مَن أقرأُ منا؟ ومَن أفقه منا؟ ومَن أعلمُ منا؟. ثمّ التفت إلى أصحابه فقال: هل في أولئك من خير؟ قالوا: لا. قال: أولئك منكم من هذه الآية: ﴿وَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمْ وَقُودُ النَّارِ﴾". [المجلسي، "بحار الأنوار"، ج ٢، ص ١٠٩] |
| It is narrated from Imam al-Sadiq (p) that he said, "Beware of two habits, both of which lead to one’s destruction; Beware of giving religious verdicts according to your own opinion, and beware of practicing your religion without knowing what you are practicing." He also said, "Whoever gives religious verdicts to people without knowledge and divine guidance will be cursed by both the angels of mercy and the angels of punishment, and he will bear the burden of those who followed his false verdicts." [Al-Majlisi, Bihar al-Anwar, v. 2, p. 114 & 117] | عن الإمام الصادق (عليه السّلام): "إياك وخصلتين فيهما هلك من هلك: إياك أن تفتي الناس برأيك، أو تدين بما لا تعلم". وقال: "من أفتى الناس بغير علم ولا هدى من الله لعنته ملائكة الرحمة وملائكة العذاب، ولحقه وزر من عمل بفتياه". [المجلسي، "بحار الأنوار"، ج ٢، ص ١١٤ و١١٧] |
The Commander of Faithful (p) is narrated saying, “I swear by He who split the grain and created life, had people not come to me and supporters not present in front of me and if there had been no covenant God took from scholars that they should not accept the greed of the oppressors and the hunger of the oppressed I would have cast the rope of Caliphate on its own shoulders and would have left the people to themselves. Then you would know that in my view this world of yours is not more important to me than the sneeze of a goat.” [The Commander of Faithful Imam Ali Ibn Abi Talib (p), al-Sharif al-Radi, “Nahj al-Balaghah”, Sermon 3] | "أما والذي فلق الحبة وبرأ النسمة، لولا حضور الحاضر وقيام الحُجّة بوجود الناصر وما أخذ الله على العلماء أن لا يقارّوا على كِظَةِ ظالم ولا سَغَب مظلوم لألقيتُ حبلَها على غاربها، ولسقيتُ آخرَها بكأس أوّلها، ولألفيتم دنياكم هذه أزهد عندي من عفطة عنز" [الإمام أمير المؤمنين علي بن أبي طالب (عليه السّلام)، "نهج البلاغة"، الخطبة رقم ٣] |
It is narrated from Imam al-Sadiq (p) that he said, “Whoever worships God without having listened from a truthful scholar, God will inflict him with misguidance until his death. And, whoever claims to have listened to a scholar but from a gate other than that which God designated, then he has ascribed partners with God. Certainly, that gate is the secure gate entrusted with the hidden secret of God.” [Al-Majlisi, Bihar al-Anwar, v. 2, p. 105] | عن الإمام الصادق (عليه السّلام): "من دان الله بغير سماع مِن عالِمٍ صادقٍ ألزمه الله التَّيه إلى الفناء، ومَن ادّعى سماعاً من غير الباب الذي فتحه الله لخلقه فهو مشرك، وذلك الباب هو الأمين المأمون على سرّ الله المكنون" [المجلسي، "بحار الأنوار"، ج ٢، ص ١٠٥] |
| It is narrated from the Commander of Faithful (p) that he said, "Beware of the ignorant worshippers and the corrupt scholars, for they are a trial that everyone is tested with." [Al-Majlisi, Bihar al-Anwar, v. 2, p. 106] | عن أمير المؤمنين (عليه السّلام): "إياكم والجهّال من المتعّبدين، والفجّار من العلماء فإنّهم فتنة كلّ مفتون". [المجلسي، "بحار الأنوار"، ج ٢، ص ١٠٦] |
It is narrated from Imam al-Sadiq (p) that he said, "On the Day of Resurrection, God will gather mankind all on the same plain, then the scales will be placed. When the blood of the martyrs will be weighed against the ink of the scholars, the ink of the scholars will outweigh the blood of the martyrs." [Al-Bahrani, Awalim al-Ulum, v. 20, p. 710] | عن الإمام الصادق (عليه السّلام): "إذَا كَانَ يَوْمُ الْقِيَامَةِ جَمَعَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ النَّاسَ فِي صَعِيدٍ وَاحِدٍ وَ وُضِعَتِ الْمَوَازِينُ، فَتُوزَنُ دِمَاءُ الشُّهَدَاءِ مَعَ مِدَادِ الْعُلَمَاءِ فَيَرْجَحُ مِدَادُ الْعُلَمَاءِ عَلَى دِمَاءِ الشُّهَدَاءِ". [البحراني، "عوالم العلوم"، ج ٢٠، ص ٧١٠] |
Imam al-Hussain (p) has narrated, “... If only you had endured hardship and bore burdens for the sake of God, then the affairs of God concerning you will be resolved, originate from you, and return to you. However, you have allowed the oppressors to take your place, and you have surrendered the matters of God into their hands. They act according to doubtful matters and follow their desires. Your escape from death and love of this world, which will soon leave you, gave them this authority …” [Narrated from Imam al-Hussain (p) and the Commander of Faithful (p), al -Harrani, “Tuhaf al-Uqool”, P. 237] | "... لو صبرتم على الأذى وتحملتم المؤونة في ذات الله كانت أمور الله عليكم ترد وعنكم تصدر وإليكم ترجع، ولكنكم مكنتم الظلمة من منزلتكم وأسلمتم أمور الله في أيديهم، يعملون بالشبهات ويسيرون في الشهوات، سلطهم على ذلك فراركم من الموت وإعجابكم بالحياة التي هي مفارقتكم..." [روي عن الإمام الحسين (عليه السّلام) وكذلك عن أمير المؤمنين (عليه السّلام). الحرّاني، "تحف العقول"، ص ٢٣٧] |
| It is narrated from Imam al-Sadiq (p) that he said, "Whoever enters this religion based on emulating others, they will eventually take him out of it as they brought him in. But, whoever enters this religion based on conviction of the Holy Book and the sacred traditions, the mountains will have to crumble before he does." [Al-Majlisi, Bihar al-Anwar, v. 2, p. 105] | عن الإمام الصادق (عليه السّلام): "من دخل في هذا الدّين بالرّجال أخرجه منه الرّجال كما أدخلوه فيه، ومن دخل فيه بالكتاب والسّنة زالت الجبال قبل أن يزول". [المجلسي، "بحار الأنوار"، ج ٢، ص ١٠٥] |
Imam al-Hussain (p) has been narrated saying, “... O’ people, you are the people well-known for knowledge, renowned for goodness, recognized for your advice, and respected by others through God. The masters stand in awe of you, the weak honor you, and those whom you have not done any favors and those who do not depend on you prefer you over others. You intercede in fulfilling people’s needs when they are withheld. You walk with the nobility of kings and honor of the nobles. Isn’t attaining all this promised when you fulfill the rights of God? Yet, you fall short in fulfilling many of His rights ..." [Narrated from Imam al-Hussain (p) and the Commander of Faithful (p), al-Harrani, “Tuhaf al-Uqool”, P. 237] | "... أنتم أيتها العصابة، عصابة بالعلم مشهورة، وبالخير مذكورة، وبالنصيحة معروفة، وبالله في أنفس الناس مهابة، يهابكم الشريف، ويكرمكم الضعيف، ويؤثركم من لا فضل لكم عليه ولا يد لكم عنده، تشفعون في الحوائج إذا امتنعت من طلابها، وتمشون في الطريق بهيبة الملوك وكرامة الأكابر، أليس كل ذلك إنما نلتموه بما يرجى عندكم من القيام بحق الله وإن كنتم عن أكثر حقّه تقصرون؟" [روي عن الإمام الحسين (عليه السّلام) وكذلك عن أمير المؤمنين (عليه السّلام). الحرّاني، "تحف العقول"، ص ٢٣٧] |
Imam al-Baqir (p) is narrated saying, “... They correctly recited the Book with precision but they distorted its meanings and application, which eventually caused the Book to be abandoned. They would recite it but without upholding its message. The ignorant are amazed by their memorization, while the scholars are saddened by their neglect of nurturing it. [From the letter of Imam al-Baqir (p) to Saad al-Khayr, al-Kulayni, “al-Kafi”, v. 8., p. 52] | "... وكان من نبذهم الكتاب أن أقاموا حروفه وحرفوا حدوده، فهم يروونه ولا يرعونه، والجهال يعجبهم حفظهم للرواية، والعلماء يحزنهم تركهم للرّعاية". [عن الإمام الباقر في كتابه إلى سعد الخير، الكليني، "الكافي"، ج ٨، ص ٥٢] |
The Commander of the Faithful (p) is narrated saying, “... A person may be called a scholar but is not actually so. His knowledge is sourced from the ignorance of the ignorant and delusions from the misguided. Then, he presents to the people enticing yet deceptive and false examples. He interprets the Book according to his own views and bends the truth to his desires. He assures people concerning major sins and undermines serious wrongdoings. He claims that he does not involve himself in areas of doubt when he is in fact immersed in them and that he stays far from innovations when in fact he lays in them. Surely, his image is that of a man, but his heart is that of an animal. He does not know the gate of guidance to follow it nor the gate of misguidance to avoid it. Surely, such people are in fact the dead among the living…” [The Commander of Faithful Imam Ali Ibn Abi Talib (p), al-Sharif al-Radi, “Nahj al-Balaghah, Sermon 86] | "... وآخر قد تسمّى عالماً وليس به، فاقتبس جهائل من جهّال، وأضاليل من ضلّال، ونصب للنّاس أشراكاً من حبائل غرور، وقول زور، قد حمل الكتاب على آرائه، وعطف الحقّ على أهوائه، يؤمّن النّاس من العظائم، ويهوّن كبير الجرائم، يقول: أقف عند الشّبهات وفيها وقع، ويقول: أعتزلُ البدعَ وبينها اضطجَعَ، فالصّورةُ صورةُ إنسان، والقلبُ قلبُ حيوان، لا يعرف بابَ الهدى فيتّبعه، ولا بابَ العمى فيصدّ عنه، وذلك ميتُ الأحياء..." [الإمام أمير المؤمنين علي بن أبي طالب (عليه السّلام)، "نهج البلاغة"، الخطبة رقم ٣] |
Imam al-Hussain (p) is narrated saying, “... O’ God, indeed you know that what we do not compete for power nor pursue worldly gains, but rather manifest the signs of Your religion, and spread reform in Your land—to grant security to the oppressed and so your obligations, traditions, and rulings are acted upon. Therefore, if you [the people] do not support us or be fair to us, then the oppressors will overpower you and strive to extinguish the light of your Prophet (pbuh&hp). Indeed, God is sufficient for us, upon Him we rely and to Him we turn, and to Him is the final destination.” [Narrated from Imam al-Hussain (p) and the Commander of Faithful (p), [al-Harrani, “Tuhaf al-Uqool”, P. 237] | "... اللّهم إنك تعلم أنه لم يكن ما كان منّا تنافساً في سلطان ولا التماساً من فضول الحطام، ولكن لِنُريَ المعالمَ من دينك، ونُظهِرَ الإصلاح في بلادك، ويأمنَ المظلومون من عبادك، ويعملَ بفرائضِكَ وسُنَنِكَ وأحكامِك، فإن لم تنصرونا وتنصفونا قَوِيَ الظَّلَمَةُ عليكم وعملوا في إطفاءِ نورِ نبيكم. وحسبنا الله، وعليه توكلنا وإليه أنبنا وإليه المصير." [روي عن الإمام الحسين (عليه السّلام) وكذلك عن أمير المؤمنين (عليه السّلام). الحرّاني، "تحف العقول"، ص ٢٣٧] |
It is narrated from the Holy Prophet (pbuh&hp) that he said, "Scholars are of two kinds: a scholar who adheres to his knowledge—he is saved, and a scholar who abandons his knowledge—he is doomed. Indeed, the people of Hellfire will be annoyed by the stench of the scholar who abandons his knowledge. The most regretful among the people of Hellfire is a person who invites another servant to Allah, and he responds, accepts, and obeys God, so God lets him into Paradise. However, the one who invited others to faith but abandoned his knowledge and followed his desires will end up in Hellfire." [Al-Majlisi, Bihar al-Anwar, v. 2, p. 106] | عن النبي الأكرم (صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلّم): "العلماء رجلان: رجل عالم آخذ بعلمه فهذا ناج، وعالم تارك لعلمه فهذا هالك، وإن أهل النار ليتأذون بريح العالم التارك لعلمه، وإن أشد أهل النار ندامة وحسرة رجل دعا عبدا إلى الله عز وجل فاستجاب له وقبل منه وأطاع الله عز وجل فأدخله الله الجنة، وأدخل الداعي النار بتركه علمه واتباعه الهوى". [المجلسي، "بحار الأنوار"، ج ٢، ص ١٠٦] |
| "Imam Zainn al-Abidin (p) has been narrated as saying, “...God’s proofs have been established upon you by what He has entrusted you with from His Book, and by granting you understanding of His religion, and by acquainting you with the traditions of His Prophet (pbuh&hp). He has blessed you with every blessing He has bestowed upon you. He has tested your gratitude in every matter that He has done to you and every grace through which He has shown His favors to you. He says, “If you give thanks, I will indeed increase you; but if you deny, then indeed My punishment is severe (Quran 17:7).” Therefore, reflect upon the type of person you will be tomorrow when you stand before God on the Day of Judgement when he will ask you about the blessings He gave you in life and how you treated them, as well as His proofs and your response to them. Do not think that God will accept your excuses or will be satisfied with your shortcomings. Far from that! Far from that! It is not as you assume. For He took a covenant from the scholars in His book, when He said, “Most surely you shall make it evident to mankind and not conceal it. (Quran 3:187)” Know that the least [of knowledge] that you conceal and the lightest burden that you carry is keeping company with an oppressor and paving the way of misguidance for him by being close to him when you came near and answering his call when you were called. It frightens me that you may meet your wrongdoings tomorrow ..." [From the letter of advice of Imam Ali Ibn al-Hussain Zain al-Abidin (p) to Mohammed Ibn Muslim al-Zuhri, al -Harrani, “tuhaf al-Uqool”, p. 274] | "... فقد أصبحتَ بحالٍ ... قامت عليكَ حُجَجُ الله بما حمّلكَ من كتابه، وفقَّهكَ فيه من دينه، وعرَّفكَ من سُنّةِ نبيّه محمّد (صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلم)، فَرَضِيَ لكَ في كل نعمة أنعم بها عليك، وفي كلّ حُجّةٍ احتجّ بها عليك الفرضَ بما قضى، فما قضى إلا ابتلى شُكركَ في ذلك وأبدى فيه فضله عليك، فقال: ﴿لَئِن شَكَرْتُمْ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ ۖ وَلَئِن كَفَرْتُمْ إِنَّ عَذَابِي لَشَدِيدٌ﴾. فانظر أي رجل تكون غداً إذا وقفت بين يدي الله فسألك عن نعمه عليك كيف رعيتها؟ وعن حججه عليك كيف قضيتها؟ ولا تحسبن الله قابلاً منك بالتعذير ولا راضياً منك بالتقصير، هيهات هيهات! ليس كذلك، أخذ على العلماء في كتابه إذ قال: ﴿تُبَيِّنُنَّهُ لِلنَّاسِ وَلَا تَكْتُمُونَهُ﴾. واعلم أن أدنى ما كتمتَ وأخفَّ ما احتملتَ أن آنستَ وحشةَ الظالم وسهّلتَ له طريق الغيّ بدنوّك منه حين دنوت وإجابتك له حين دُعيت، فما أخوفني أن تكون تبوء بإثمك غداً..." [الإمام علي بن الحسين زين العابدين السجاد (عليه السّلام) من كتابه لمحمد بن مسلم الزهري يعظه فيه. الحر |
| Imam Ali (p) has been narrated as saying, “The true scholar is the one who does not despair people from the mercy of God nor does he make them lose hope in the grace of God, but he also does not make them forget the consequences of disobeying God.” [Ibn Abi al-Hadid, Sharh Nahj al-Balaghah, v. 18, p. 243] | عن علي عليه السّلام في نهج البلاغة: "الفقيه كل الفقيه من لم يقنط الناس من رحمه الله، ولم يؤيسهم من روح الله، ولم يؤمنهم من مكر الله". [ابن أبي الحديد، "شرح نهج البلاغة"، ج ١٨، ص ٢٤٣]. |
| It is narrated from the Holy Prophet (pbuh&hp) that he said, "Indeed, among the trials of a person is that speech becomes more beloved to him than listening. But in speech, there is embellishment and exaggeration, and the speaker is not safe from committing wrong. While in silence, there is safety and reward. Among scholars are those who hoard their knowledge and dislike it being found in others—these will be in the first level of Hell. Some scholars are in their knowledge like sultans—if challenged on any aspect of their knowledge, they become enraged. These will be in the second level of Hell. Others use their speech and the wonders of their knowledge for the sake of honor and eloquence, not considering those in need of it worthy—they are in the third level of Hell. Others appoint themselves to issue religious verdicts and issue wrong verdicts pretentiously, and God hates those who are pretentious—they are in the fourth level of Hell. Others speak the words of Jews and Christians to show off their knowledge—they are in the fifth level of Hell. Others use their knowledge sake of status, nobility, and fame among people—they are in the sixth level of Hell. Then, there are those who are provoked with pride and self-admiration: if advised they become aggressive, if criticized they become resentful—they are in the seventh level of Hell. Therefore, adhere to silence, for in it lies victory over Satan, and you will earn the forgiveness and pleasure [of God]. Beware of laughing without reason or walking and speaking without manners." [Al-Deylami, E'lam al-Din fi Sefat al-Mu'mineen, p. 273] | عن النبي الأكرم (ص): «إنّ مِن فتنة المرء أن يكون الكلام أحبَّ إليه من الاستماع، ففي الكلام تمويه وزيادة، ولا يُؤمَنُ على صاحبه الخطأ، وفي الصّمت سلامة وأجر. ومن العلماء مَن يَخزُنُ علَمه ولا يحبُّ أن يُوجد عند غيره، فهو في الدّرك الأوّل من النّار. ومنهم من يكون في علمه بمنزلة السلطان، إنْ رُدَّ عليه في شيء مِن عِلمهِ غضب، فهو في الدّرك الثاني من النار. ومنهم مَن يجعل حديثَه وغرائبَ عِلمِهِ لأجل الشّرف والبيان، ولا يرى أهلَ الحاجة إليه أهلاً، فهو في الدّرك الثّالث مِن النار. ومنهم مَن ينصّبَ نفسه للفتيا، فيفتي بالخطأ تكلّفاً، والله يبغض المتكلّفين، وهو في الدّرك الرابع. ومنهم مَن يتكلّم بكلام اليهود والنّصارى ليغزر علمَه، فهو في الدّرك الخامس من النار. ومنهم مَن يتخذّ علمَه تعمّقاً ونُبْلاً وذِكْراً في النّاس، فهو في الدّرك السّادس من النار. ومنهم مَن يستفزّه الرّياء والعجب، فإنْ وَعظَ عنَّفْ وإنْ وُعِظَ أَنِفْ، فهو في الدّرك السّابع مِن النار. فعليكَ بالصّمت فبِهِ تغلب الشيطان، وتستوجب المغفرة والرّضوان ، وإيّاك أن تَضحكَ من غير عُجب، أو تمشي وتتكلّم في غير أدب». [الدّيلمي، "أعلام الدين في صفات المؤمنين"، ص ٢٧٣] |
| It is narrated from the Commander of Faithful (p) that Jesus, son of Mary (p) said: "Money and wealth is the disease of religion, and the scholar is the physician of religion. So when you see the physician pulling the disease towards himself, beware of him and know that he is not sincere to others. [Al-Majlisi, Bihar al-Anwar, v. 2, p. 107] | عن أمير المؤمنين (عليه السّلام): "قال عيسى ابن مريم عليه السّلام: الدينار داء الدّين، والعالم طبيب الدّين فإذا رأيتم الطبيب يجرّ الدّاء إلى نفسه فاتّهموه واعلموا أنّه غير ناصح لغيره". [المجلسي، "بحار الأنوار"، ج ٢، ص ١٠٧] |
| Imam al-Baqir (p) has been narrated saying, “... Scholars are in a constant struggle with the ignorant. If they advise them towards good, they label them as arrogant. And, if they do the right thing that they had neglected, they would accuse them of opposing. And, if they distance themselves from them, they would accuse them of abandoning. And, if they say, ‘Show us your proof of what you are saying’, they would respond accusing them of being hypocritical. And, if they obey them, they will accuse you of disobeying God. Surely, the ignorant will perish due to their ignorance. They are illiterate in what they recite. They accept the Book when it suits them and deny it when it does not.” [From the letter of Imam al-Baqir (p) to Saad al-Khayr, al-Kulayni, “al -Kafi”, v. 8., p. 52] | "... والعلماء من الجهال في جهد وجهاد، إن وعظت قالوا: طغت وإن عملوا الحق الذي تركوا قالوا: خالفت، وإن اعتزلوهم قالوا: فارقت، وإن قالوا: هاتوا برهانكم على ما تحدثون؟ قالوا: نافقت، وإن أطاعوهم قالوا: عصت الله عزّ وجل، فهلك جهّال فيما لا يعلمون، أميون فيما يتلون، يصدقون بالكتاب عند التعريف ويكذبون به عند التحريف فلا ينكرون...". [عن الإمام الباقر في كتابه إلى سعد الخير، الكليني، "الكافي"، ج ٨، ص ٥٢] |
| It is narrated from the Holy Prophet (pbuh&hp) that he said, "I do not fear for my nation from a believer or a polytheist. As for the believer, he is bound by his faith. And as for the polytheist, he is restricted by his disbelief. However, I fear for you from the hypocrite with a knowledgeable tongue who speaks what you believe in and does what you reject." [Al-Majlisi, Bihar al-Anwar, v. 2, p. 108] | عن النبي الأكرم (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم): "إني لا أتخوف على أمتي مؤمناً ولا مشركاً، فأما المؤمن فيحجزه إيمانه، وأما المشرك فيقمعه كفره، ولكن أتخّوف عليكم منافقاً عليم اللسان يقول ما تعرفون ويعمل ما تنكرون". [المجلسي، "بحار الأنوار"، ج ٢، ص ١٠٨] |
| It is narrated from the Holy Prophet (pbuh&hp) that he said, "Whoever claims that he is knowledgeable, he is actually ignorant." [Al-Majlisi, Bihar al-Anwar, v. 2, p. 108] | عن النبي الأكرم (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم): "من قال: أنا عالم فهو جاهل". [المجلسي، "بحار الأنوار"، ج ٢، ص ١٠٨] |
| It is narrated from the Commander of Faithful (p) that he said, "There are five traits that if you abandon, you are unable to achieve anything similar: when a servant fears nothing except his own sins, and not having hope except in God, and saying “I do not know” when asked about what he is ignorant of, and not to feel ashamed of learning that which he does not know. Indeed, patience is to faith as the head is to the body; there is no faith for one who has no patience. [Al-Majlisi, Bihar al-Anwar, v. 2, p. 114] | عن أمير المؤمنين (عليه السّلام): "خمس لو رحلتم فيهن ما قدرتم على مثلهن: لا يخاف عبد إلا ذنبه، ولا يرجو إلا ربه عز وجل، ولا يستحيي الجاهل إذا سئل عما لا يعلم أن يقول: الله أعلم، ولا يستحيي أحد إذا لم يعلم أن يتعلم، والصبر من الإيمان بمنزلة الرأس من الجسد، ولا إيمان لمن لا صبر له". [المجلسي، "بحار الأنوار"، ج ٢، ص ١١٤] |
| Imam al-Baqir (p) is narrated as saying, “…When darkness covered the people due to their sins, there became two kinds of leaders: one inviting towards God and the other inviting towards Hellfire. Then, Satan spoke and his voice manifested on the tongues of his allies. His troops and followers increased and integrated into the wealth and offspring of those who associated with Him. As a result, people started to innovate in the religion and abandon the Book and sacred traditions. Meanwhile, the allies of God spoke with Truth and acted according to the Book and Wisdom. From that day, the people of truth separated from the people of falsehood. The people of guidance were abandoned and undermined, while the people of falsehood cooperated and assisted each other. Eventually, groups aligned with so-and-so and his likes. Only a wise discerning eye can recognize their misguidance, ‘Indeed, the losers are those who lost themselves and their peoples on the Day of Resurrection. Certainly, that is the True Loss (Quran 39:15).’” [From the letter of Imam al-Baqir (p) to Saad al-Khayr, al-Kulayni, “al -Kafi”, v. 8., p. 52] | "... لما غشى الناس ظلمة خطاياهم صاروا إمامَين: داعٍ إلى الله تبارك وتعالى وداعٍ إلى النار، فعند ذلك نطق الشيطان، فعلا صوته على لسان أوليائه، وكثر خيله ورجله، وشارك في المال والولد من أشركه، فعمل بالبدعة وترك الكتاب والسنة. ونطق أولياء الله بالحجة وأخذوا بالكتاب والحكمة، فتفرق من ذلك اليوم أهل الحق وأهل الباطل، وتخاذل وتهادن أهل الهدى، وتعاون أهل الضلالة، حتى كانت الجماعة مع فلان وأشباهه... وصنف آخر فأبصرهم رأي العين نجباء، ﴿إِنَّ الْخَاسِرِينَ الَّذِينَ خَسِرُوا أَنفُسَهُمْ وَأَهْلِيهِمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ ۗ أَلَا ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ الْخُسْرَانُ الْمُبِينُ﴾. [عن الإمام الباقر في كتابه إلى سعد الخير، الكليني، "الكافي"، ج ٨، ص ٥٢] |
| It is narrated from Imam al-Sadiq (p), from his forefathers, from the Commander of Faithful (p) that he said, "Surely, there are millstone grinders in hellfire. Will you not ask me what they grind?" So, he was asked, "What do they grind O' Commander of the Faithful?" He replied, "The corrupt scholars, sinful reciters of the Quran, oppressive tyrants, betraying ministers, and lying officials ..." [Al-Majlisi, Bihar al-Anwar, v. 2, p. 107] | عن الإمام الصادق (عليه السّلام) عن آبائه عن أمير المؤمنين (عليه السّلام) أنّه قال: "إنّ في جهنم رحى تطحن أفلا تسألوني ما طحنها؟ فقيل له: وما طحنها يا أمير المؤمنين؟ قال: العلماء الفجرة، والقراء الفسقة، والجبابرة الظلمة، والوزراء الخونة، والعرفاء الكذبة…". [المجلسي، "بحار الأنوار"، ج ٢، ص ١٠٧] |
| It is narrated from Imam Zain al-Abideen (p) that he said, "You cannot sit with whomever you wish, for God says “When you see those who ridicule Our verses, turn away from them until they engage in another discourse. If Satan should make you forget, then as soon as you remember, do not remain with the wrongdoing people (Quran 6:68).” And you cannot speak whatever matter you please, for God has said “Do not follow that of which you have no knowledge (Quran 17:36)” and because the Messenger of God (pbuh&hp) has said, “May God have mercy on the one who speaks good and gains or kept silent and remained safe.” And, you cannot listen to whatever you please, because God has said “Indeed, the hearing, the sight, and the heart, all of them will be questioned (Quran 17:36)." [Al-Majlisi, Bihar al-Anwar, v. 2, p. 116] | عن الإمام زين العابدين (عليه السّلام): "ليس لك أن تقعد مع من شئت لأن الله تبارك وتعالى يقول: ﴿وَإِذَا رَأَيْتَ الَّذِينَ يَخُوضُونَ فِي آيَاتِنَا فَأَعْرِضْ عَنْهُمْ حَتَّىٰ يَخُوضُوا فِي حَدِيثٍ غَيْرِهِ ۚ وَإِمَّا يُنسِيَنَّكَ الشَّيْطَانُ فَلَا تَقْعُدْ بَعْدَ الذِّكْرَىٰ مَعَ الْقَوْمِ الظَّالِمِينَ﴾. وليس لك أن تتكلم بما شئت لأن الله عز و جل قال: ﴿وَلَا تَقْفُ مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِ عِلْمٌ﴾. ولأن رسول الله (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) قال: رحم الله عبداً قال خيراً فغَنِمَ، أو صَمَتَ فَسَلِمَ. وليس لك أن تسمع ما شئت لأن الله عز وجل يقول: ﴿إِنَّ السَّمْعَ وَالْبَصَرَ وَالْفُؤَادَ كُلُّ أُولَٰئِكَ كَانَ عَنْهُ مَسْئُولًا﴾". [المجلسي، "بحار الأنوار"، ج ٢، ص ١١٦] |
| "... Part of their rejection of the Book was that they entrusted it to the ignorant—which then followed their desires, lead them astray, and distorted the religion. Then, it was passed on to the foolish and immature… As a result, the nation became...filled with people who diligently worship but upon misguidance and delusion. Surely, this kind of worship is a trial for them as well as those who followed them ..." [From the letter of Imam al-Baqir (p) to Saad al-Khayr, al-Kulayni, “al -Kafi”, v. 8., p. 52] | "... وكان من نبذهم الكتاب أن ولّوه الذين لا يعلمون، فأوردوهم الهوى، وأصدروهم إلى الردى، وغيروا عُرى الدين، ثم ورثوه في السّفه والصّبا ... فأصبحت الأمة ... وفيهم المجتهدون في العبادة على تلك الضلالة، معجبون مفتونون، فعبادتهم فتنة لهم ولمن اقتدى بهم..." [عن الإمام الباقر في كتابه إلى سعد الخير، الكليني، "الكافي"، ج ٨، ص ٥٢] |
| It is narrated from Imam al-Sadiq (p) that he said, "If you see a scholar who loves this world, do not trust him with your religion, for every lover encompasses what he loves." [Al-Majlisi, Bihar al-Anwar, v. 2, p. 107] | عن الإمام الصادق (عليه السّلام): "إذا رأيتم العالم محباً للدنيا فاتهموه على دينكم فإنّ كلّ محبّ يحوط ما أحب". [المجلسي، "بحار الأنوار"، ج ٢، ص ١٠٧] |
| It is narrated from the Commander of Faithful (p) that he said, "Understand the words you receive through the understanding of care, not with the understanding of narrating, for the narrators of knowledge are many, but few are those who care for it." [Al-Majlisi, Bihar al-Anwar, v. 2, p. 161] | عن أمير المؤمنين (عليه السّلام): "اعقلوا الخبر إذا سمعتموه عقل رعاية لا عقل رواية، فإنّ رواة العلم كثير ورعاته قليل". [المجلسي، "بحار الأنوار"، ج ٢، ص ١٦١] |
| "Imam al-Hussain (p) has been narrated saying, “... O' people, be aware of that which God has warned about when He condemned the rabbis saying, “If only the Godly scholars and the rabbis would forbid them from speaking sinfully (Quran 5:63)” as well as, “Those who disbelieved among the Children of Israel were cursed by the tongue of David and of Jesus, the son of Mary. That was because they disobeyed and habitually transgressed. They would not prevent one another from wrongdoings. How wretched was that which they were doing! (Quran 5:78)” God rebuked them for this because they used to witness among themselves the wrongdoing and corruption of those in their midst but did not forbid them from it, for they had desired to gain more of what they received from them and they feared losing that from them. But God says, “So do not fear mankind, but fear Me (Quran 5:44)”, and He says, “The believers, both men and women, are allies of one another; they enjoin what is good and forbid what is evil (Quran 9:71).” God began by obligating the enjoining of good and forbidding of evil because He had known that if these two matters are established and carried out thoroughly, all the other obligatory duties, the easy and the difficult, will be carried out thoroughly. This is because enjoining good and forbidding evil is a call to Islam, a compensation of injustices, opposing the oppressor, a fair distribution of wealth and gains, and taking charities from their sources and allocating them in their proper places.” [Narrated from Imam al-Hussain (p) and the Commander of Faithful (p), al-Harrani, “Tuhaf al-Uqool”, p. 237] | "... اعتبروا أيها الناس بما وعظ الله به أولياءه من سوء ثنائه على الأحبار إذ يقول ﴿لَوْلَا يَنْهَاهُمُ الرَّبَّانِيُّونَ وَالْأَحْبَارُ عَن قَوْلِهِمُ الْإِثْمَ﴾ وقال: ﴿لُعِنَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِن بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ عَلَىٰ لِسَانِ دَاوُودَ وَعِيسَى ابْنِ مَرْيَمَ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ بِمَا عَصَوا وَّكَانُوا يَعْتَدُونَ * كَانُوا لَا يَتَنَاهَوْنَ عَن مُّنكَرٍ فَعَلُوهُ ۚ لَبِئْسَ مَا كَانُوا يَفْعَلُونَ﴾. وإنما عاب الله ذلك عليهم لأنهم كانوا يرون من الظلمة الذين بين أظهرهم المنكر والفساد فلا ينهونهم عن ذلك، رغبة فيما كانوا ينالون منهم، ورهبة مما يحذرون، والله يقول: ﴿فَلَا تَخْشَوُا النَّاسَ وَاخْشَوْنِ﴾. وقال: ﴿وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتُ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَاءُ بَعْضٍ ۚ يَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ﴾، فبدأ الله بالأمر بالمعروف والنهي عن المنكر فريضة منه، لعلمه بأنها إذا أديت وأقيمت استقامت الفرائض كلها هينها وصعبها، وذلك أن الأمر بالمعروف والنهي عن المنكر دعاء إلى الاسلام مع رد المظالم ومخالفة الظالم وقسمة الفئ والغنائم وأخذ الصدقات من مواضعها ووضعها في حقها. [روي عن الإمام الحسين (عليه السّلام) وكذلك عن أمير المؤمنين (عليه السّلام). الحرّاني، "تحف العقول"، ص ٢٣٧] |
| It is narrated from the Holy Prophet (pbuh&hp) that he said, "There will come a time upon my nation when nothing will remain of the Quran except its inscription, and nothing will remain of Islam except its name. They will be called Muslims while they are the farthest people from it. Their mosques will be well-built but devoid of guidance. The scholars of that time will be the worst scholars under the sky, for trials will emerge from them and back to them it returns.” [Al-Majlisi, Bihar al-Anwar, v. 2, p. 107] | عن النبي الأكرم (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم): "سيأتي على أمتي زمان لا يبقى من القرآن إلا رسمه، ولا من الإسلام إلا اسمه، يسمّون به وهم أبعد الناس منه، مساجدهم عامرة وهي خراب من الهدى، فقهاء ذلك الزمان شر فقهاء تحت ظل السماء، منهم خرجت الفتنة وإليهم تعود". [المجلسي، "بحار الأنوار"، ج ٢، ص ١٠٧] |
| It is narrated from the Commander of Faithful (p) that he said, "From the Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him): "I am amazed how those who desire to have many friends do not seek the companionship of the knowledgeable and righteous scholars. Doing so allows them to gain their virtues, seek guidance from their knowledge, and adorn themselves with their company.” [Al-Amidi, Ghurar al-Hekam w Durar al-Kalem, v. 1, p. 461] | عن أمير المؤمنين (عليه السّلام): "عَجِبْتُ لِمَنْ يَرْغَبُ فِي التَّكَثُّرِ مِنَ الْأَصْحَابِ كَيْفَ لَا يَصْحَبُ الْعُلَمَاءَ الْأَلِبَّاءَ الْأَتْقِيَاءَ، الَّذِينَ يَغْنَمُ فَضَائِلَهُمْ وَ تَهْدِيهِ عُلُومُهُمْ وَ تُزَيِّنُهُ صُحْبَتُهُمْ" [الآمدي، "غرر الحكم ودرر الكلم"، ج ١، ص ٤٦١] |
| It is narrated from the Holy Prophet (pbuh&hp) that he said, "The scholars are the trustees of the messengers as long as they do not indulge in worldly affairs." It was asked, "O’ Messenger of God, how does one indulge in this world?" He replied, "By following the rulers. If they do that, beware of them concerning your religion." [Al-Majlisi, Bihar al-Anwar, v. 2, p. 108] | عن النبي الأكرم (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم): "الفقهاء أمناء الرسل ما لم يدخلوا في الدنيا. قيل: يا رسول الله وما دخولهم في الدنيا؟ قال: اتباع السلطان فإذا فعلوا ذلك فاحذروهم على دينكم". [المجلسي، "بحار الأنوار"، ج ٢، ص ١٠٨] |
| It is narrated from the Holy Prophet (pbuh&hp) that he said, “Whoever seeks knowledge just to argue with the ignorant or to boast in front of scholars or to turn people's attention to themselves saying, ‘I am your leader,’ then let him take his seat in the Fire of Hell. Verily, leadership is only suitable for its deserving people. Whoever calls people to himself, while among them are those who are more knowledgeable than him, Allah will not look at him on the Day of Judgment.” [Al-Majlisi, Bihar al-Anwar, v. 2, p. 108] | عن النبي الأكرم (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم): "من تعلّم علماً ليماري به السّفهاء أو ليباهي به العلماء، أو يصرف به النّاس إلى نفسه يقول: أنا رئيسكم فليتبوأ مقعده من النّار، إنّ الرئاسة لا تصلح إلا لأهلها، فمن دعى النّاس إلى نفسه وفيهم مَن هو أعلمُ منه لم ينظر الله إليه يوم القيامة". [المجلسي، "بحار الأنوار"، ج ٢، ص ١٠٨] |
| It is narrated from the Holy Prophet (pbuh&hp) that he said, “Whoever gives religious verdicts to people without valid knowledge, the angels of the heavens and Earth curse him.” It is also narrated from him (pbuh&hp), “The one who gives religious verdicts to people without knowledge, does more damage to the religion than good.” [Al-Majlisi, Bihar al-Anwar, v. 2, p. 116 & 121] | عن النبي الأكرم (صلى الله عليه وآله): "من أفتى الناس بغير علم لعنته ملائكة السماوات والأرض". وعنه: "من أفتى الناس بغير علم كان ما يفسده من الدّين أكثر مما يصلحه". [المجلسي، "بحار الأنوار"، ج ٢، ص ١١٦ و١٢١] |
| It is narrated from Imam al-Sadiq (p) that he said, "The one who answers every question he is asked is insane." He also said: "Share that which you know, and as for what you do not know, say: 'Allah knows best.' Indeed, wrongly manipulating one verse of the Quran can cause one to fall away from the mercy of God as far as the distance of the heavens. [Al-Majlisi, Bihar al-Anwar, v. 2, p. 116 & 118] | عن الإمام الصادق (عليه السّلام): "إن من أجاب في كل ما يسئل عنه لمجنون". وقال: "ما علمتم فقولوا، وما لم تعلموا فقولوا: الله أعلم إن الرجل لينتزع بالآية من القرآن يخرّ فيها أبعد من السماء". [المجلسي، "بحار الأنوار"، ج ٢، ص ١١٦ و١١٨] |
| It is narrated from the Messenger of God (pbuh&hp) that he said, "At the end of times, there will come scholars who call others to detach from this world yet they themselves do not. And, they will call others to invest in the Hereafter yet they themselves do not. And, they will prohibit people from yet they themselves do not. And, they will shun away the poor and instead draw the rich ones near. Verily, these are in fact the arrogant tyrants and enemies of Allah. [Warram, Tanbih al-Khawatir w Tanzih al-Nawadhir, v. 1, p. 155 & 301] | عن رسول الله (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلّم): "سيأتي في آخر الزمان علماءٌ يزهّدون في الدنيا ولا يزهدون، ويرغّبون في الآخرة ولا يرغبون، وينهون عن الدخول على الولاة ولا ينتهون، ويباعدون الفقراء، ويقربون الأغنياء، أولئك هم الجبارون أعداء الله". [ورّام، "تنبيه الخواطر وتنزيه النواظر"، ج ١، ص ١٥٥ و ٣٠١]. |
| It is narrated from the Messenger of God (pbuh&hp) that he said, "There will be a time on my nation in which their leaders will be oppressors, their scholars will be greedy, their worshippers will show off, their merchants will collect usury, their women adorn themselves for this world, and the young ones overwhelmed by lustful desires. It is then that my nation will deteriorate just as markets do in a recession." [Al-Nouri, Mustadrak al-Wasa'il, v. 11, p. 376] | عن رسول الله (صلى الله عليه وآله): "يأتي زمان على أمتي أمراؤهم يكونون على الجور، وعلماؤهم على الطمع، وعبادهم على الرياء، وتجارهم على أكل الربا، ونساؤهم على زينة الدنيا، وغلمانهم في التزويج، فعند ذلك كساد أمتي ككساد الأسواق". [الحرّ العاملي، "مستدرك الوسائل"، ج ١١، ص ٣٧٦]. |